A new legislative threat to reproductive health care
The MAGA Republicans in the House have just released a new piece of legislation that deeply concerns me. They have decided to prioritize restricting access to critical reproductive health care above safeguarding American families — again.
Their latest?
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Defunding Planned Parenthood – If successful, this legislation will eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, and severely limit access to essential preventive services (think: STI testing, breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception, and sex education). These are some of the most important services offered right here at the Everett, Lynnwood, Bellingham, Mount Vernon, and Friday Harbor Planned Parenthood centers.
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Eliminating Title X Family Planning Funding and Information – MAGA Republicans want to cut crucial funding for Title X, a provision that ensures life-saving preventive care, like contraceptives, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment. Moreover, it will restrict access to information about abortion, including referrals, in many areas. Limiting the flow of reliable health care information and access is a dangerous move.
- Limiting Access to Abortion Care Post-Dobbs Decision – This seeks to obstruct the implementation of Executive Orders intended to ensure access to reproductive health services for individuals affected by state abortion bans following last year's incorrectly decided Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case.
Extreme members of the House GOP are eager to impose restrictions on various successful reproductive health care programs that families in our region depend on, and I will not let that stand. Will you help me protect reproductive rights for all Americans by making a contribution to my reelection campaign?
From where I stand, rather than striving for a harmful national abortion ban, we should be focused on preserving and broadening access to safe reproductive health care — because families must have the freedom to decide what's best for them.
In the face of this legislation, I am redoubling my commitment to ensuring nationwide access to abortion and reproductive health care. I will continue to:
- fight back against extreme legislation that seeks to limit a person's options for reproductive care;
- support suspending the filibuster to pass the Women's Health Protection Act, which re-establishes a nationwide right to abortion and enshrines Roe v. Wade protections into federal law; and
- advocate for our doctors to be able to prescribe abortion medication through telehealth consultations to ensure patients can get the care they need, regardless of their zip code — which is especially important for those in rural communities.
Rick
